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The use of South African languages by youth on social media: The case of Limpopo Province

The case of Limpopo Province

Carol Lesame
University of Limpopo
Edgar Malatji
University of Limpopo
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The use of South African languages by youth on social media: The case of Limpopo Province. (2022). Communicare: Journal for Communication Studies in Africa, 38(1), 76-95. https://doi.org/10.36615/jcsa.v38i1.1545
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  • Submited: October 8, 2022
  • Published: October 11, 2022

Abstract

The focus of this article is to discuss new media choices and use of selected South African
languages on social media by youth residing in Limpopo Province, South Africa. The use of
language on social media facilitates communication between communicators and use of one’s
cultural language can ensure that this communication is better. This paper summarises a study of
youth in Limpopo Province. The purpose of the study was to explore and describe languages used
by youth on social media and identify reasons for the communication engaged in. The research
methodology used to collect and analyse data was a combination of qualitative and quantitative
approaches. For the quantitative part of the research, a survey and online observation were used
for data collection and statistical methods and semiotic analysis used to analyse data. For the
qualitative aspects of the study, personal interviews and focus groups were employed for data
collection and thematic analysis used to analyse data. The findings indicated that the majority
of the youth do not prefer to use their African mother tongue languages to communicate on
Twitter and Facebook but chat in the English language on those forums. However, the young
people prefer to use their African languages when communicating to others on the WhatsApp
social media platform. Reasons for these choices are stated. The discussion contributes to the
academic debate on the role of language in decolonising higher education, and to debates about
promoting the use of African languages.

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How to Cite
The use of South African languages by youth on social media: The case of Limpopo Province. (2022). Communicare: Journal for Communication Studies in Africa, 38(1), 76-95. https://doi.org/10.36615/jcsa.v38i1.1545

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